Enhanced External Counterpulsation (EECP) is a treatment that uses several blood pressure cuffs on both legs to gently, but firmly, compress the blood vessels and boost blood flow to the heart. Inflation and deflation of the cuffs are electronically synchronized with the heartbeat and blood pressure, using an EKG and blood pressure monitors. This process allows increased blood flow to be delivered to the heart at the exact time it's relaxing. When the heart pumps again, pressure is released, lowering the resistance in the blood vessels of the legs so blood can be pumped more easily from the heart. EECP therapy helps open small blood vessels in the heart to increase blood flow to the heart muscle. It can be beneficial for relieving angina in patients who are unable to undergo, or have not responded to, other treatments. If a patient is accepted for EECP treatment, there will be 35 hours of therapy, given 1-2 hours a day, 5 days a week, for 7 weeks.
No special preparation is needed for EECP Therapy.